Graphic art portfolioPrinted in Inkjet Gicleé technique, Satin paper 225 g, 100% cottonDimensions 483x330 mm14 graphicsEdition of 24 graphic art portfolios (2 H.C., 6 E.A., 1/16 – 16/16)Publisher Luwigana GalleryPrinted by Studio ČerneRedaction Janez Černe, Galerija ČerneLjubljana, August 2009The cycle of illustrations (acrylic on cardboard, 45 x 30 cm) was created between 2003 and 2004 for the artwork in the poetry book entitled “KLICANJE – Sveto pismo v pesmih” (»CALLING: The Bible in Poems«) by Stanko Janežič. The graphic art portfolio includes a selection of illustrations published in the book and two motifs chosen from the artwork alternative variants.

… Metlikovič's images are based on considerably solid colour planes of intensive luminosity which the artist uses to delineate and arrange spaces of explicit spirituality, even when the scenes are laid out on earthly meadows. The symbolically harmonized colours are suffused with homogeneous, metaphysically conceptualised light, supported by hefty strokes drawing the poems’ scenes or messages translated into signs or ideograms. The artist follows the swing of his hand in a concerted, yet seemingly improvised manner, imbued with his ardent belief to be touched by a call from the supra-personal, spiritual world, condensed in signs airily animated by a linear rhythm which shapes the images with evocative musicality. Combined with a harmony of colours and drawing, the sense of musicality permeates Metlikovič’s images with a twofold lightness, infused with unflagging optimism which arises from his faith in the meaningfulness of the world and its immortal origin.Supra-personal and yet very personal in their drawing structure, Metlikovič’s images synthesise ancient Christian and contemporary arts, bearing an imprint of the abstract art tradition of the 20thcentury spiritualised art movements. Metlikovič transferred inspirational biblical ideas into a fine art manuscript, with his drawing line earnestly and joyfully following rather specific creative impulses inspired by the artist’s affinity for sacrality, darting up in flames here, and calming down in angular, rather static rituality there, while seeking everywhere the most appropriate way to provide an extremely concise visual “definition” of a given poem, which floats over colourful scenes among the signs and the rhythms…

Most of Biblical illustrations were reproduced in the Calendar for the year 2009, published by the German non-denominational ecumenical community OJC. Images with meditations can be seen on the OJC website: Aufruf zum Gebet 2009, Impulsmeditationen von Ralph Pechmann zu den Bildern von Matej Metlikovic.